Dr. Ai on Single-Agent and Combination Therapy in Patients With MDS

Jing Ai, MD, physician, Levine Cancer Institute, discusses the rationale behind single-agent therapy and the development of combination therapy in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Ai says that choosing between single agent and combination therapy usually depends on the experience of the treating physician. Single agents are often used in the relapsed/refractory setting, as these patients have already failed 2 or 3 lines of therapy. Physicians turn to whatever has the best biological reason for use, Ai says.

From a clinical trial standpoint, MDS as compared with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) does not receive as much attention, even though the 2 diseases are biologically similar, Ai says. Her hope is that clinical trials for AML extend to patients with MDS to improve upon available treatment.